The Virtual Nuclear Reactor

The next generation of nuclear energy will not be defined by sprawling, remote facilities, but by compact, modular reactors located closer to where power is needed most. This transformation is not just a vision—it's a necessity in the global race to achieve deep decarbonization and energy accessibility. However, realizing this future requires a fundamental shift in how nuclear technologies are designed, tested, and deployed. Traditional approaches, hampered by outdated simulation tools and prohibitively expensive demonstration reactors, are too slow and costly to meet the urgency of climate goals.

This paper explores how digital twin technology—high-fidelity, physics-based virtual replicas of nuclear reactors—is revolutionizing the nuclear industry. By enabling faster design cycles, predictive validation, and reduced operational costs, digital twins offer a practical path toward delivering safe, efficient, and affordable nuclear energy. We examine how this technology is being adopted across innovative reactor concepts, from pebble bed designs to liquid metal cooling systems, and why it's becoming an essential part of nuclear energy's clean future.

In this white paper, we give examples of how digital twin technology is being used to support the growth and adoption of nuclear power. We explore the specific challenges the nuclear industry is facing and how the nuclear engineering community is increasingly addressing these challenges using virtual reactor models and a comprehensive digital twin.